Connor LaCouvee’s journey in the hockey world has taken him from Oceanside Minor Hockey to the VIJHL to the BCHL. Now he’s about to enter his second season with the Boston University Terriers.
Also, before his sophomore season will begin, LaCouvee has been invited to two NHL prospect camps with the New York Rangers and Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks.
The 21-year old LaCouvee, a goaltender who hails from Qualicum Beach, is currently at the Rangers prospect camp along with a handful of players ranging from undrafted players in various leagues in North America to those who have been drafted and are in the Rangers organization.
It’s only the second day at camp but LaCouvee is very excited to have the opportunity to be there.
“It’s pretty cool,” LaCouvee said from the MSG Training Center in Tarrytown, New York. “Being here is an honour and it’s a good step in the right direction for me. I’m really excited to have the chance to showcase my skills for a couple of NHL teams like this.”
In his first season with the Terriers, LaCouvee started eight games and had a record of three wins, four losses and one tie.
He sported a 2.58 goals against average and had a 0.913 save percentage. Spending the season as a backup to highly touted goaltender Matt O’Connor, who signed a two-year entry-level deal with the Ottawa Senators, LaCouvee will have a shot at earning more playing time in between the pipes for the Terriers this upcoming season.
“I’m hoping to earn more playing time,” LaCouvee said. “I’m really just hoping to have a good year overall; I’ll be putting in lots of hard work and try to have some fun too. These camps will help me in terms of seeing where I could be and I think that’s going to push me that much more.”
LaCouvee saw a few teammates from Boston University taken in the NHL draft just last week, including second overall pick Jack Eichel, who was selected by the Buffalo Sabres. In total, there were four Boston University Terriers taken in the top 50 selections in the NHL draft, including teammates A.J. Greer (Colorado Avalanche), Jakob Forsbacka Karlsson (Boston Bruins) and Jordan Greenway (Minnesota Wild).
For now, LaCouvee’s focus is on doing the best that he can while at the Rangers prospect camp, which started June 29 and will run through to July 3. Then, just a little over a week later, LaCouvee will be in attendance for the Chicago Blackhawks prospects camp as well.
“It’s pretty exciting,” LaCouvee said. “Like I said, it’s a big step in the right direction in terms of getting myself out there and having the chance to show what I can do. I’m really looking forward to being able to have the chance to do this all over again with the Blackhawks as well.”
One thing is for sure, LaCouvee’s determined to show what he can do for not only the Terriers going forward, but for the Rangers and Blackhawks as well.